President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Tom Brokaw during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Medal of Freedom is the country's highest civilian honor. Tom Brokaw is one of America’s most trusted and respected journalists. Mr. Brokaw served as anchor of NBC Nightly News from 1982 to 2004, and is currently a Special Correspondent for NBC News. For decades, Mr. Brokaw has reached millions of Americans in living rooms across the country to provide depth and analysis to historic moments as they unfold, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the terrorist attacks of 9-11. His reporting has been recognized by the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award, two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, eleven Emmys, and two Peabody awards. Mr. Brokaw previously served as anchor of NBC's Today, and following the death of his close friend Tim Russert, Mr. Brokaw took over Meet the Press during the 2008 campaign season. He has written five books including The Greatest Generation, a title that gave name to those who served in World War II at home and abroad. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

Vice President Joe Biden was an honored guest at a special lighting ceremony took place for the National Hanukkah Menorah, the world’s largest, on the Ellipse, just across from the White House on the first night of the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
The first candle on the National Menorah was lit on Wednesday, December 16,, 2014 by Rabbi Levi Shemtov, executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad) . The United States Army Band, and "The Three Cantors" performed. The national menorah lighting dates to 1979 when Jimmy Carter was president. Hanukkah celebrates the Jewish Maccabees' military victory over Syrian oppression more than two-thousand years ago. A candle is lit each night of the eight-day celebration, commemorating the miracle of one day's supply of oil lasting a full eight days in the lamp following the re dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Following the ceremony, those in attendance were treated to hot traditional Hanukkah latkes (potato pancakes), donuts and cookies. Attendance was free, but tickets had to be reserved in advance. The annual event is sponsored by American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), represented by Rabbi Levi Shemtov and his father Rabbi Abraham Shemtov

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Thousands of conservative activists from across the United States attended the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, MD on March 6-8.

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, John Boehner (R-Ohio), kisses former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Sixth Annual Congressional Women's Softball Game in Washington D.C. on June 18, 2014. The game was won by the Congressional Members team over the Press team by a score of 10-5. The game raised $150,000 to combat breast cancer. Giffords had played in the inaugural Congressional Women's Softball Game in 2009. On Jan. 8, 2011, Giffords, the former House Democrat from Arizona was shot along with 18 others, six of whom died, at a constituent meeting in a supermarket parking lot in the Tucson metropolitan area. (Photo by Jeff Malet)

March 25, 2014 - The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a legal challenge to mandated coverage of contraceptives under Obamacare brought by Hobby Lobby, whose Southern Baptist owners oppose some forms of birth control for religious reasons.

Queen Elizabeth I portrayed by Penelope Rahming.
Lawrence Plotkin as Lord Burleigh. William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign.

At a solemn ceremony, President Barack Obama observed the 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon which claimed the lives of 184 individuals. The ceremony at the Pentagon was mostly private, attended by family members of victims of the attack, first responders and senior military and government officials. The public was allowed to view the memorial following the ceremony. Observances got underway in the D.C. area at dawn with the unfurling of an American flag down the side of the Pentagon. The tradition began Sept. 12, 2001, when firefighters unexpectedly got onto the building's roof and draped a large flag across the damaged building, a symbol of America's resolve. The commemoration service began at 9:30 a.m., hosted by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey. President Obama spoke following the playing of TAPS and a moment of silence at 9:37 a.m., the moment an airliner hit the Pentagon. The President offered words of comfort to the families, telling them "Your love is the ultimate rebuke to the hatred of those who attacked us."

Thousands of conservative activists from across the United States attended the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor, MD on March 6-8.

Vice President Joe Biden applauds Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) as President Barack Obama saluted Boehner's life journey from "the son of a barkeep to Speaker of the House". President Barack Obama delivered his fifth State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. on January 28, 2014

An estimated 40,000 visitors descended on the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the District for the second annual Awesome Con D.C. for three days of panels, comic book displays and autograph signings on April 18 through 20.

President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Meryl Streep during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Medal of Freedom is the country's highest civilian honor. Meryl Streep is one of the most widely known and acclaimed actors in history. She holds the record for most Academy Award nominations of any actor. (Photo by Jeff Malet)